State Champion spotlight: Kylie Nelson Belfast HS
We caught up with Class B long jump champion Kylie Nelson a week after she captured the title to find out how she dealt with two events going on simultaneously. Also we asked her how she prepared and dealt with the pressure of the state meet.
What were your preparations leading up to the state meet?
My preparations leading up to the state meet were mainly practicing my run for long jump. On the Belfast track team we believe that the run is the most important part of long jump.
How did you deal with the pressure and emotions that come along with competing in a state meet?
My preparations leading up to the state meet were mainly practicing my run for long jump. On the Belfast track team we believe that the run is the most important part of long jump. At the track meet I was dealing with a migraine/puking and had to deal with pole vault and long jump being at the same time. I had to focus on staying calm and cool and take both events one at a time. I couldn't let the effects of one event affect the other.
You won the long jump state title after being the third seed, was that a surprise to you?
I came into the state meet not expecting to win long jump. Of course I was hoping for it and knew I had the ability if I had a good jumping day but did not expect to be standing at the top of the podium.
How did you handle competing in both the long jump & pole vault at the same time?
Every year at the state meet I've had to compete in pole vault and long jump at the same time. This year was a little different as I was sick and feeling very weak. With pole vault my steps have to be exact for me to excel in the event. Unfortunately I was very inconsistent with my run and that led me to not do as well as I wanted to. The anger that I had from pole vault resulted in me jumping a personal record of 16' 11" which was the winning jump. I strongly believe that i would not have won long jump if I didn't take second in pole vault.
Coming into the season what were your goals and did you achieve them?
Coming into this season I wanted to break my previous record of 16'9" which I held from the previous outdoor season. I have just recently excelled in this event as I only started participating in it last spring. My goal this year was to stay consistent and get close to 17 feet.
Nelson's Long Jump Progression
| INDOOR | Graph |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 16-11 |
| 2016 | 15-4 |
| 2015 | 15-3.25 |